THE MESSAGE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, RECEP TAYYIP ERDOĞAN ON THE EVENTS OF 1915

(UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION)

“The
24th of April carries a particular significance for our Armenian
citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and provides a valuable
opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter.

It is indisputable that the last years of the Ottoman Empire
were a difficult period, full of suffering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab,
Armenian and millions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their
religion or ethnic origin.

Any conscientious, fair and humanistic
approach to these issues requires an understanding of all the
sufferings endured in this period, without discriminating as to religion
or ethnicity.

Certainly, neither constructing hierarchies of
pain nor comparing and contrasting suffering carries any meaning for
those who experienced this pain themselves.

As a Turkish proverb goes, “fire burns the place where it falls.”

It
is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the
suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of
the Ottoman Empire.

In Turkey, expressing different opinions and
thoughts freely on the events of 1915 is the requirement of a
pluralistic perspective as well as of a culture of democracy and
modernity.

Some may perceive this climate of freedom in Turkey as
an opportunity to express accusatory, offensive and even provocative
assertions and allegations.

Even so, if this will enable us to
better understand historical issues with their legal aspects and to
transform resentment to friendship again, it is natural to approach
different discourses with empathy and tolerance and expect a similar
attitude from all sides.

The Republic of Turkey will continue to approach every idea with dignity in line with the universal values of law.

Nevertheless,
using the events of 1915 as an excuse for hostility against Turkey and
turning this issue into a matter of political conflict is inadmissible.

The
incidents of the First World War are our shared pain. To evaluate this
painful period of history through a perspective of just memory is a
humane and scholarly responsibility.

Millions of people of all
religions and ethnicities lost their lives in the First World War.
Having experienced events which had inhumane consequences - such as
relocation - during the First World War, should not prevent Turks and
Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually humane attitudes
among towards one another.

In today’s world, deriving enmity from
history and creating new antagonisms are neither acceptable nor useful
for building a common future.

The spirit of the age necessitates
dialogue despite differences, understanding by heeding others,
evaluating means for compromise, denouncing hatred, and praising respect
and tolerance.

With this understanding, we, as the Turkish
Republic, have called for the establishment of a joint historical
commission in order to study the events of 1915 in a scholarly manner.
This call remains valid. Scholarly research to be carried out by
Turkish, Armenian and international historians would play a significant
role in shedding light on the events of 1915 and an accurate
understanding of history.

It is with this understanding that we
have opened our archives to all researchers. Today, hundreds of
thousands of documents in our archives are at the service of historians.

Looking
to the future with confidence, Turkey has always supported scholarly
and comprehensive studies for an accurate understanding of history. The
people of Anatolia, who lived together for centuries regardless of their
different ethnic and religious origins, have established common values
in every field from art to diplomacy, from state administration to
commerce. Today they continue to have the same ability to create a new
future.

It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient
and unique geography, who share similar customs and manners will be able
to talk to each other about the past with maturity and to remember
together their losses in a decent manner. And it is with this hope and
belief that we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the
context of the early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our
condolences to their grandchildren.

Regardless of their ethnic or
religious origins, we pay tribute, with compassion and respect, to all
Ottoman citizens who lost their lives in the same period and under
similar conditions.”